Into The Blue: Confidence levels for nine Michigan recruiting predictions
I currently have nine predictions in for Michigan this cycle on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Here is how I feel about all of them ahead of official visits.
WR I’Marion Stewart, Chicago (Ill.) Kenwood
Date of Prediction: 9/17/22
Confidence Level: 90 percent
Reasoning: Michigan started to build a ton of momentum in the recruitment of Stewart at the beginning of last season hence the early prediction. U-M has remained the favorite throughout the process and has now hosted the three-star prospect on multiple visits since then, including two this spring. Stewart is set to make his return to Michigan for an official visit on June 23. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Wolverines close shortly after that. In fact, the four-star prospect told me the he’s looking at making a late June decision. Wisconsin is hosting him for an OV this weekend and may be U-M’s biggest competition.
DL Owen Wafle, Princeton (N.J.) Hun School
Date of Prediction: 5/24/23
Confidence Level: 90 percent
Reasoning: Wafle recently backed out of his verbal pledge to Notre Dame after increased interest from Michigan. U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston has made Wafle a top overall priority and is pushing to get him in the class soon. Wafle is set to make his first-ever trip to Ann Arbor for an official visit on June 9. If everything goes well, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Wafle make a decision shortly after the trip. The three-star recruit is not slated to make official visits to any other schools at the time.
DL Deyvid Palepale, Landisville (Pa.) Hempfield
Date of Prediction: 5/23/23
Confidence Level: 80 percent
Reasoning: Palepale told me that Michigan is now his leader heading into June official visits. The Wolverines blew him away on his unofficial visit this offseason and will have an opportunity to close on his June 9 trip. Palepale is set to make an OV to Penn State this weekend, which gives me some minor concern. Penn State, after all, offers Palepale a chance to stay closer to home. The Nittany Lions also seemed to have an advantage in the spring. However, Michigan has done a fantastic job with Palepale and his family as of late. I’m feeling very optimistic here.
EDGE Brian Robinson, Austintown (Ohio) Fitch
Date of Prediction: 10/15/22
Confidence Level: 50 percent
Reasoning: Michigan has been the overwhelming favorite to land Robinson dating back to last fall. The Wolverines hosted him twice this offseason and will host him for an OV this weekend. However, Robinson has continued to wait, which is a bit concerning. Kentucky has arguably been recruiting him harder over the last month and recently picked up a prediction elsewhere. Michigan is taking around five EDGE prospects this cycle, and those spots could fill up in a hurry this month. If the On300 prospect continues to wait, I’m not so sure he ends up in the class. Right now, however, he remains a take. We should know a lot more following his official visit.
EDGE Jacob Smith, Cheshire (Conn.) Academy
Date of Prediction: 4/30/23
Confidence Level: 75 percent
Reasoning: This one should be a slam dunk for Michigan. The Wolverines landed Smith’s twin brother, Jerod, this spring, and the two have always dreamed of playing together at the next level. Michigan has been working overtime on Jacob and will get him in for his OV this weekend. This will mark his mother’s first time in Ann Arbor. If things go well with her, I could see Jacob joining the class soon — her preference is for the twins to stick together. Smith really likes Kentucky and Nebraska and is set to make officials to both schools. That gives me some pause. But at the end of the day, it’s hard not to see him siding with Michigan.
EDGE Devon Baxter, Brandywine (Md.) Gwynn Park
Date of Prediction: 5/24/23
Confidence Level: 75 percent
Reasoning: Michigan has taken the lead for Baxter going into June official visits and is making the four-star prospect a top priority on the EDGE board. Baxter has yet to visit Michigan, which gives me a little bit of pause, but he has strong bonds with Elston, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and staffer Dylan Roney. Baxter is a developmental prospect and knows Michigan can help him reach his upside. He does have official visits set with Rutgers and Maryland, which offers him an opportunity to stay closer to home. However, I feel like Michigan can close on his OV on June 16.
EDGE Dominic Nichols, Ijamsville (Md.) Oakdale
Date of Prediction: 4/19/23
Confidence Level: 75 percent
Reasoning: Nichols spent three days at Michigan this spring. That extended trip put Michigan in the pole position going into June official visits. Nichols is now set to return for his official visit on June 9. This will be his mother’s first time on campus. Like with the aforementioned Smith, if things go well with her, I think Michigan will seal the deal. Nichols is also taking OVs to Wisconsin (this weekend) and Kentucky (June 16), while Georgia has recently picked up interest. However, I feel really good about Michigan’s chances right now.
LB Aaron Chiles, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel
Date of Prediction: 2/10/23
Confidence Level: 90 percent
Reasoning: I was the first to put in a Michigan prediction for Chiles across all networks and still feel confident in my pick. I’ve been a fan of Chiles for more than a year and advocated for him to get a U-M offer as an underclassman. The On300 prospect is simply the perfect fit for Michigan on and off the field. New linebackers coach Chris Partridge has done a great job of building a relationship with Chiles and his family, while defensive coordinator Jesse Minter continues to be a positive presence. Chiles is taking OVs to both Florida and Maryland, but Michigan is set to get him last on June 23.
LB Jeremiah Beasley, Belleville (Mich.) High
Date of Prediction: 5/15/23
Confidence Level: 80 percent
Reasoning: Michigan has separated itself as the team to beat for Beasley this spring. The On300 prospect is a perfect scheme fit and has bonded well with new linebackers coach Chris Partridge. Of course, Beasley has strong bonds with Minter and area recruiter Steve Clinkscale. He also happens to be really close to Michigan commit Jacob Oden — the two played youth football together. Michigan State is set to host him for an official visit this weekend. His half brother, Maliq Carr, plays for the Spartans, which still gives me a little bit of pause. However, Michigan is the superior program.
The post Into The Blue: Confidence levels for nine Michigan recruiting predictions appeared first on On3.
